Prompt: The Daily Topic: "How would you greet yourself? Write about your alter ego, your long-lost clone, or your evil twin as if he/she was a person you could meet on the street."
Instead of writing about my evil twin, I am going to write about a meeting with my mother’s evil twin.
This is a very old story, about 25 years back. I still remember I was very small, around 4-5 years old. The impact of the meeting was so strong that till date I shudder when I remember it.
It was evening time and the mothers were as usual catching up on the daily gossip, while the children played in the park. I was accompanied by my servant that day as my mother was busy with household chores. While playing, I ran off to a spot, away from my friends. Maybe that was just a part of the game, I don’t remember now. I saw a lady who looked like my mother. She was calling me. She looked so much like my mom, I went to her without telling my servant. The only best thing that happened to me that day was that I could still see my house from where I was standing. As I went closer to my mom’s evil twin, and I am rightly saying evil, I realized she was doing something funny. She was rotating her hands round and round like the movement of a wheel. I found that funny, though it could have been a way to hypnotize me. Ironically, she was wearing a saree which was very similar to a print my mom had. This was also one of the reasons that I had actually walked towards her. I began to say something, but she was saying only one thing – COME! As if she was trying to pull me towards her. By God’s grace, I heard someone call me. I looked the other way and saw my mom calling out to come back home. I was perplexed. Not knowing what was truly happening at that time, I turned around and simply ran to my real-life mom and hugged her tightly. I told her about the other lady. But when she looked out, there was no one there. Considering that I was small, she thought it was just something else I might have seen, and she left the topic.
Till date, when I think about it, I wonder who she was. Was she someone with just another face like my mom’s as they say that there are 7 people in the world who have the same face (don’t ask me who is they, I have probably heard it somewhere); or was she a witch (though I know there are no witches), who was trying to hypnotize me and take me to a place unknown. But I know for sure that she had the same face like my mom but with a starkly different personality. I thank God whenever I think about this experience. For these reasons, it is always explained to kids to just not walk off with anyone unknown. A good lesson learnt the bad way.
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Unused and forgotten
Prompt: The Daily Topic: "Why do we store it then? Write about something kept in a pantry that is almost never eaten or used."
I had bought corn and chilli sauce to make vegetable fried rice and noodles…though I did make them once in a while, but suddenly no one wanted to eat them. Everyone at home had stopped liking it for some reason, still unknown to me; hence I had to stop making them. It has been quite some time but the two ingredients bought for the dishes have since then never been used. They have been just lying in the fridge ever since. I don’t feel like throwing it away. Its expiry date is still far off. These things can last very long if kept properly. And I am still keeping them with the hope that maybe someday, my family decides to eat the two dishes and I will need the two ingredients. It’s at a lot of times that we end up spending money on things which we hardly or almost never use. It’s always a good idea to keep a check on the items bought especially for the kitchen; else one will keep stacking and then throwing…
I had bought corn and chilli sauce to make vegetable fried rice and noodles…though I did make them once in a while, but suddenly no one wanted to eat them. Everyone at home had stopped liking it for some reason, still unknown to me; hence I had to stop making them. It has been quite some time but the two ingredients bought for the dishes have since then never been used. They have been just lying in the fridge ever since. I don’t feel like throwing it away. Its expiry date is still far off. These things can last very long if kept properly. And I am still keeping them with the hope that maybe someday, my family decides to eat the two dishes and I will need the two ingredients. It’s at a lot of times that we end up spending money on things which we hardly or almost never use. It’s always a good idea to keep a check on the items bought especially for the kitchen; else one will keep stacking and then throwing…
Monday, November 16, 2009
November 25
International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women
Since 1981, the day of anti violence against women has been marked on November 25 by women activists. By resolution 54/134 of 17 December 1999, the General Assembly designated this day as the “International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women” in commemoration of the three sisters of the Dominican Republic who were assassinated in 1960 on orders of their Dominican dictator Rafael Trujillo. This day also marks the beginning of the 16 days of activism against gender violence which is December 10, known as International Human Rights Day.
Background of the three sisters: Patria Mercedes Mirabal (February 27, 1924 – November 25, 1960), María Argentina Minerva Mirabal (March 12, 1926 – November 25, 1960) and Antonia María Teresa Mirabal (October 15, 1935 – November 25, 1960) were three sisters who were citizens of the Dominican Republic. They ardently opposed the dictatorship of Rafael Trujillo as they believed that Trujillo would send their country into an economic turmoil. This was true in a way as even though the economy was getting better, there was no freedom and most of the money was getting into the pocket of the Trujillo family. The family lost all their fortune as well when Trujillo came to power. Hence, the sisters opposed Trujillo’s rule by forming a group known as “Movement of the Fourteenth of June”, in which they were known as "The Butterflies"; and fought to end his dictatorship. After numerous incarcerations and torture, when the sisters did not stop their anti political activities, the dictator decided to get rid of them. On November 25, 1960, his men executed the three sisters and their driver, and threw their car off of the mountain La Cumbre, between the cities of Santiago and Puerto Plata. The only sister alive today is Bélgica Adela "Dedé" Mirabal-Reyes (March 1, 1925 – present) who lives to tell the stories of her sisters.
Violence against women has been prevalent since centuries. It gives rise to gender inequality and denies women their basic human rights, such as health and freedom. It also undermines the social and economic development, and fractures communities and the country as a whole.
70% of women around the world are subject to rape or domestic violence especially from their husbands or someone they know. These issues are often hidden and cause more death and disability than any other disease.
Governments, international organizations and NGOs regularly organize activities every year to raise public awareness of the problem. It is high time that “SAY NO TO VIOLENCE” is not only spoken out but also implemented throughout the society and the world.
Since 1981, the day of anti violence against women has been marked on November 25 by women activists. By resolution 54/134 of 17 December 1999, the General Assembly designated this day as the “International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women” in commemoration of the three sisters of the Dominican Republic who were assassinated in 1960 on orders of their Dominican dictator Rafael Trujillo. This day also marks the beginning of the 16 days of activism against gender violence which is December 10, known as International Human Rights Day.
Background of the three sisters: Patria Mercedes Mirabal (February 27, 1924 – November 25, 1960), María Argentina Minerva Mirabal (March 12, 1926 – November 25, 1960) and Antonia María Teresa Mirabal (October 15, 1935 – November 25, 1960) were three sisters who were citizens of the Dominican Republic. They ardently opposed the dictatorship of Rafael Trujillo as they believed that Trujillo would send their country into an economic turmoil. This was true in a way as even though the economy was getting better, there was no freedom and most of the money was getting into the pocket of the Trujillo family. The family lost all their fortune as well when Trujillo came to power. Hence, the sisters opposed Trujillo’s rule by forming a group known as “Movement of the Fourteenth of June”, in which they were known as "The Butterflies"; and fought to end his dictatorship. After numerous incarcerations and torture, when the sisters did not stop their anti political activities, the dictator decided to get rid of them. On November 25, 1960, his men executed the three sisters and their driver, and threw their car off of the mountain La Cumbre, between the cities of Santiago and Puerto Plata. The only sister alive today is Bélgica Adela "Dedé" Mirabal-Reyes (March 1, 1925 – present) who lives to tell the stories of her sisters.
Violence against women has been prevalent since centuries. It gives rise to gender inequality and denies women their basic human rights, such as health and freedom. It also undermines the social and economic development, and fractures communities and the country as a whole.
70% of women around the world are subject to rape or domestic violence especially from their husbands or someone they know. These issues are often hidden and cause more death and disability than any other disease.
Governments, international organizations and NGOs regularly organize activities every year to raise public awareness of the problem. It is high time that “SAY NO TO VIOLENCE” is not only spoken out but also implemented throughout the society and the world.
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Recipe for Happiness
Prompt: The Daily Topic: What are you cooking up in your head? Write a personal recipe for happiness or some other pleasant emotion, or write a recipe of your day. List the ingredients, then creatively explain how you'd make the dish."
When one door of happiness closes, another opens but often we look so long at the closed door that we don't see the one which has been opened for us. ~ Anonymous
Everyone wants to be happy. They tend to look for happiness all over when actually happiness is right within them. Some also tend to feel that it’s either money, expensive things or anything else materialistic which will make them happy. They don’t realize that true happiness lies within their family, their friends, their small successes and achievements. And go hunting for happiness without ever truly finding it. Of course there can be and will be subtractions and additions of happiness in life, but the happiest people just make the most of everything they have rather than complaining all the time for something they don’t. Inner peace is a path to happiness and it always does not have to be a by-product of money.
In my view, a recipe for happiness which serves all:
It should start as soon as you are awake and should never end. Mix 2 cups of smile and patience, a heart of gold showering love, 2 handfuls of a helpful attitude, dashes of laughter, sprinkled with charity and kindness, plenty of trust and understanding, and a touch of care.
After all, Happiness is a journey all through life, not the end of any goal.
When one door of happiness closes, another opens but often we look so long at the closed door that we don't see the one which has been opened for us. ~ Anonymous
Everyone wants to be happy. They tend to look for happiness all over when actually happiness is right within them. Some also tend to feel that it’s either money, expensive things or anything else materialistic which will make them happy. They don’t realize that true happiness lies within their family, their friends, their small successes and achievements. And go hunting for happiness without ever truly finding it. Of course there can be and will be subtractions and additions of happiness in life, but the happiest people just make the most of everything they have rather than complaining all the time for something they don’t. Inner peace is a path to happiness and it always does not have to be a by-product of money.
In my view, a recipe for happiness which serves all:
It should start as soon as you are awake and should never end. Mix 2 cups of smile and patience, a heart of gold showering love, 2 handfuls of a helpful attitude, dashes of laughter, sprinkled with charity and kindness, plenty of trust and understanding, and a touch of care.
After all, Happiness is a journey all through life, not the end of any goal.
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Osteoporosis
Common symptoms, diagnosis and cure of Osteoporosis
Anna had been experiencing slight pain in her shoulders and lower back for sometime. Assuming that it was due to fatigue as a part of old age, she overlooked the symptoms. Little did she know that it was osteoporosis, the ‘silent disease’ creeping into her body making her bones fragile.
Very often, the patient having osteoporosis does not feel sick; hence the problem is not diagnosed until it reaches an advanced stage. As osteoporosis progresses, its symptoms start becoming evident in the form of severe back pain, or hampering the daily routine activities which begin to get extremely tiring. Osteoporosis weakens the bones leading to thinning of bone tissue and loss of bone density; a common factor being age, found mostly in women over the age of 50. The hip, spine and wrist are especially vulnerable to fractures even from minor injuries.
Common symptoms occurring late in the disease are:
- Back pain slowly leading to a bent back, called a dowager's hump (kyphosis) as the bones of the spine gradually collapse.
- Cramps in the legs
- Shoulder and Neck pain
- Loss of height
- Tooth loss due to a weaker jawbone structure.
- Fatigue
- Knee pain indicating other health problems such as arthritis.
- Pain in the bones or muscles, particularly of the back.
As the symptoms don’t appear early, it is often difficult to get treatment at the right time. However, a few tests are available to detect the stage of osteoporosis in the patient and the corresponding treatment provided.
Diagnosis methods:
- Bone density tests: Specialized tests which measure the bone density in various parts of the body. They measure the rate at which the patient is more susceptible to fractures and the rate at which the bone loss is occurring in the body.
- Blood tests
- Spine X-ray
- Spine CT
The bone mineral density tests deals with a dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA). The results are measured by a T-score. If the T-score is -2.5 or lower, the diagnosis is osteoporosis. If the T-score is between -1.0 and -2.5, the patient is considered to show osteopenia (a reduction in bone mass, not as severe as osteoporosis).
Treatments:
There are a number of treatments available which bring relief to a person dealing with osteoporosis. Initially, the doctor recommends healthy fruits and vegetables especially ones containing Vitamin C. Calcium supplements are also given along with to increase the calcium content in the bones. If osteoporosis is at a very advanced stage, treatments such as physiotherapy or estrogen replacement therapy are given.
Little did Anna realize that she was facing an acute problem. She underwent blood tests and bone density tests. She has been advised to take calcium supplements all her life and regular physiotherapy sessions for at least two months. Though she has regained health, she firmly believes in visiting a doctor before the pain gets excruciating and intolerable. As they say, prevention is the best cure.
Anna had been experiencing slight pain in her shoulders and lower back for sometime. Assuming that it was due to fatigue as a part of old age, she overlooked the symptoms. Little did she know that it was osteoporosis, the ‘silent disease’ creeping into her body making her bones fragile.
Very often, the patient having osteoporosis does not feel sick; hence the problem is not diagnosed until it reaches an advanced stage. As osteoporosis progresses, its symptoms start becoming evident in the form of severe back pain, or hampering the daily routine activities which begin to get extremely tiring. Osteoporosis weakens the bones leading to thinning of bone tissue and loss of bone density; a common factor being age, found mostly in women over the age of 50. The hip, spine and wrist are especially vulnerable to fractures even from minor injuries.
Common symptoms occurring late in the disease are:
- Back pain slowly leading to a bent back, called a dowager's hump (kyphosis) as the bones of the spine gradually collapse.
- Cramps in the legs
- Shoulder and Neck pain
- Loss of height
- Tooth loss due to a weaker jawbone structure.
- Fatigue
- Knee pain indicating other health problems such as arthritis.
- Pain in the bones or muscles, particularly of the back.
As the symptoms don’t appear early, it is often difficult to get treatment at the right time. However, a few tests are available to detect the stage of osteoporosis in the patient and the corresponding treatment provided.
Diagnosis methods:
- Bone density tests: Specialized tests which measure the bone density in various parts of the body. They measure the rate at which the patient is more susceptible to fractures and the rate at which the bone loss is occurring in the body.
- Blood tests
- Spine X-ray
- Spine CT
The bone mineral density tests deals with a dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA). The results are measured by a T-score. If the T-score is -2.5 or lower, the diagnosis is osteoporosis. If the T-score is between -1.0 and -2.5, the patient is considered to show osteopenia (a reduction in bone mass, not as severe as osteoporosis).
Treatments:
There are a number of treatments available which bring relief to a person dealing with osteoporosis. Initially, the doctor recommends healthy fruits and vegetables especially ones containing Vitamin C. Calcium supplements are also given along with to increase the calcium content in the bones. If osteoporosis is at a very advanced stage, treatments such as physiotherapy or estrogen replacement therapy are given.
Little did Anna realize that she was facing an acute problem. She underwent blood tests and bone density tests. She has been advised to take calcium supplements all her life and regular physiotherapy sessions for at least two months. Though she has regained health, she firmly believes in visiting a doctor before the pain gets excruciating and intolerable. As they say, prevention is the best cure.
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